UK COVID-19 Daily Cases Surpass 100,000...Record High Broken Again

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In the UK, where the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant is severe, the daily confirmed cases have surpassed 100,000, setting a new record high once again.

On the 22nd (local time), according to local media such as the BBC, the UK's health authorities reported 106,122 new daily COVID-19 cases, breaking the previous record. The previous record was 93,045 cases recorded on the 17th. Since last week, when the Omicron variant spread intensified, the UK's daily confirmed cases fluctuated between 80,000 and 90,000, but on this day, it exceeded 100,000 for the first time.

The number of Omicron variant infections in the UK also increased by 13,581 from the previous day, bringing the cumulative confirmed Omicron cases to 74,089. There were 18 deaths and 195 hospitalizations reported due to Omicron variant infections.

The British royal family was not spared from COVID-19 infections. Sir Timothy Laurence, the husband of Princess Anne and son-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, also tested positive. Princess Anne was placed under quarantine, and it is reported that the couple will not be able to meet the Queen during Christmas.

As the Omicron variant continues to rage across the UK, local governments have announced strengthened quarantine measures one after another. Following Scotland the previous day, Wales and Northern Ireland also announced enhanced quarantine measures on this day. Wales announced that from the 26th, the '6-person rule' will be applied to restaurants, pubs, and theaters, and a 2-meter social distancing rule in public places will be reintroduced. Event sizes will be limited to 30 people indoors and 50 outdoors, with exceptions for weddings and funerals. Nightclubs will be closed from 6 a.m. on this day.

Northern Ireland also announced quarantine measures including closing nightclubs during this period, and Scotland had already announced restrictions on gathering sizes after Christmas and the cancellation of New Year's events. Ireland, which borders Northern Ireland, has limited operating hours for restaurants, theaters, and pubs to 8 p.m. starting this week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.